Article of furniture having massaging action



June 4, 1963 N. OETINGER 3,092,100

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MASSAGING ACTION Filed Oct. 2, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. NORM TINGER BY lm ATTQRNEY N. OETINGER 3,092,100

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MASSAGING ACTION June 4, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1962 FIG. 7

INVENTOR NORMAN OETINGER ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 N. OETINGER ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MASSAGING ACTION FIG. 9

F/G. l0

will. 11/00 June 4, 1963 Filed Oct. 2, 1962 l I l 1 l I i l l l J y ATTORNEY N. OETINGER 3,092,100

ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MASSAGING ACTION June 4, 1963 Filed Oct. 2, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. NORMAN OETINGER BY M ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,092,100 ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING MASSAGING ACTION Norman Oetinger, 210 Mapleview Drive, Cheektowaga, N .Y. Filed Oct. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 227,948 Claims. (Cl. 128-33) This application is a continuation-in-part of my appli-. cation for patent Serial No. 61,178 filed October 7, 1960 and presents an additional embodiment of my invention.

The invention relates to improvements in articles of furniture having a massaging action and is herein disclosed in two forms, one of which is the vibrating chair shown in my said application for patent and the other of which is a box spring mattress which utilizes the same combination of essential elements as the chair.

The invention essentially relates to improvements upon the construction shown in my patent, 2,937,641, wherein a series of upwardly arched or bowed springs of sinusoidal shape span a furniture frame, one or more strap members are connected to the springs, padding covers the springs and the strap members, and one or more vibration producing motors are connected to the springs, there by to vibrate the padding with a resultant beneficial massaging action.

A disadvantage of the arched or bowed sinusoidal springs is that they must necessarily be formed of sufficiently heavy and strong wire successfully to resist and prevent their permanent deformation under the weight of the user. Accordingly such springs tend to resist the vibratory action imparted by the motors with the disadvantageous results that the amplitude of vibration throughout the area of the padding is greater in areas adjacent the motor and less in areas remote therefrom and does not have the desired uniformity, and that such springs, because of their inherent stiffness, prevent the padding from readily conforming to the contours of the users body and, being directly secured to the frame, transmit an objectionable degree of vibration to the frame, the linkage of strap members, the main frame and the floor.

One object of the invention is to provide a furniture frame with a padding support of spring units which will enable the padding to conform more readily to the contours of a users body.

Another object is to provide the padding with a load distributing sheet member arranged to distribute the load applied to the padding substantially uniformly to the spring units.

Another object is to provide a clamp means for substantially rigidly securing a vibration producing motor means to the load distributing sheet member, whereby vibrations produced by said motor means are directly transmitted to and distributed without appreciable loss subtantially uniformly over the entire area of the padding by said sheet member.

Another object is to provide rigid spacing rings for rigidly supporting a motor of the vibration producing means concentrically in and spaced from a housing for the motor, whereby vibrations produced by the motor are directly transmitted without loss to the housing.

Another object is to provide a furniture frame with spring supported padding, a load and vibration distributing sheet member carried by said padding, and a vibration producing motor means substantially rigidly secured to said sheet member, thereby to vibrate substantially uniformly the entire area of the padding without causing appreciable vibration of the frame, its support and the floor.

In the drawings: FIGURES 1 to 7 respectively duplicate the figures of "ice the drawings of my application for patent Serial No. 61,178.

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a massage action reclining type of chair constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 and shows the manner of mounting, securing and anchoring the ends of the series of encased tension coil springs which support the padding.

FIGURE 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the members for anchoring the ends of the springs.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1, showing the motor housing secured to the vibration distribution member by a spaced pair of clamp rings and the motor secured within and in spaced relation to the housing by a spaced pair of rigid mounting rings.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational view of the chair back with portions broken away to show its construction.

FIGURES 8 to 13 show a box spring mattress in which the features of the invention are incorporated.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the mattress.

FIGURE 9 is a longitudinal section on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a partial transverse section on the line 1010 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a partial transverse section on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 12 is a partial longitudinal section on the line 1212 of FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 13 is a plan view with parts broken away to show sundry details of the construction.

Referring to FIGURES l to 7:

The numeral 10 generally designates a reclining type of chair in which the features of the invention are incorporated. The chair 10 comprises a main frame 11 having its side frames 12 rigidly connected together by cross bars 14 and 15, a suitable spring biased pair of linkages 16 which are each secured to the inner side of one of the side frames 12 and which carry a back frame 17, a seat frame 18 and a foot rest frame 19. The linkages 16 are purchased items which, per se, form no part of the present invention and need not be described other than to say that they carry the frames 17, 1'8 and 19' in such a manner that the back, the seat and the foot rest may be readily shifted by a user from a position (not shown) in which the user is in a normal sitting attitude to the position shown in FIGURES l and 2 in which the user is in a reclining attitude.

According to the invention the frames 17, 18 and 19 carry'transverse coil springs which support the covered padding in a manner which allows it efiiciently to conform to the contours of a users body and which, as connected by rigid anchors to the frames, transmit a minimum of vibration to the frames. The invention also provides an improved means directly connected to a vibration producing motor for more evenly distributing the vibrations substantially throughout the entire area of the padding.

Accordingly, each of the frames 17, 18 and 19 is formed of parallel side members 21 which have their opposite ends rigidly connected together by cross connection members 22 and 23 and which have their inner edge faces 24 provided with a plurality of pairs of oppositely arranged and transversely alined small spaced stiff anchor plates 25, each secured by a fastener 26. The anchor plates 25 extend inwardly from the side members 21 and are formed with a through hole 27 to receive one of the end loops 28 formed at each end of a tightly wound tension coil spring 29 of a spring unit 30. Each unit 30 includes the spring 29 and a suitable sleeve 31, preferably composed of vinyl, which fully encases it. As shown in FIGURE 3 the end loops 28 of each spring 29 pass through the wall of the extended ends 32 of the sleeve 31 and thereby anchor it against displacement on the associated spring. The spring units 30 are covered by a sheet of burlap 33, an inner pad 34 of resilient material, such as foam rubber, an outer similar pad 35 and a suitable covering 36 having its sides secured to the frame. It will therefore be apparent that the spring units 3% will allow the pads 34 and 35 and the covering 36 readily to accommodate themselves to the contours of a users body and that because of their stiff anchors they will transmit little or none of the vibrations imparted to them by a vibration producing motor, to be described, to the frame, the linkage, the main frame and the floor.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that a vibration distributing member in the form of a sheet of flexible material, preferably a sheet of expanded metal 37, is interposed between the pads 34 and 35 and spans a plurality of the spring units 30. The flexible sheet 37 carries a pair of spaced clamping members 38 which extend through the pad 34 and the sheet 37 and upon operating a take up screw 39 embrace and support a vibration producing mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 40. The mechanism 40 includes a sheet metal shell housing in which an electrical variable speed motor 42 is centrally and concentrically mounted by a pair of spaced rigid rings 43 which are preferably formed with notches 44 to allow a flow of air around the motor 42. The hard rings 43 in contradistinction to the soft rings of my prior mechanism also prevent any appreciable loss in the transmission of vibrations from the motor to the shell.

The motor 42 has each of the opposite ends 45 of its rotor shaft extended beyond its casing and provided with a laterally extending eccentric weight 46 and an air moving fan 47. The weights 46 are arranged to cause a gyratory vibration of the motor and associated parts and the fans are preferably arranged to cause a unidirectional cooling flow of air through the housing and around the motor. As in my prior mechanism the rate and amplitude of the motor, at the users preference, may be varied by a suitable rheostat (not shown).

It should be noted that in my present construction the clamping members 38 cause the housing greatly to compress the portion of the padding 34 between it and the flexible sheet 37 (FIGURE 6) so that this portion of the padding is substantially rigid, and therefore serves directly to transmit vibrations imparted by the motor to the housing and to the flexible member 37 without appreciable loss of the amplitude of said vibrations.

Referring to FIGURES 8 to 13:

The box spring mattress shown in these figures incorporates the same essential combination of elements as the chair shown in FIGURES 1 to 7, the construction in respect to the pads 34 and 35, the vibration distributing member 37, and the vibration producing mechanism 40 being identical with the construction shown in FIGURES 1 to 7.

In the box spring mattress the transverse coil springs above described are not utilized, vertically arranged helical coil springs 2%, their functional equivalents, being employed as the spring units. The springs 29a are arranged below the inner pad 34 and support the padding, the pad 34 resting upon the upper convolutions of the springs. For the support of the springs the mattress includes a rectangular wooden frame 4-8 provided with transverse end and intermediate bars 49 upon which the springs rest. The covering 36 for the padding is extended to enclose the frame 48 and in respect to the padding includes an intermediate sheet 36a which is 4 interposed between the upper convolutions of the springs 29a and the adjacent surface of the inner pad 34. If desired the upper corners of the covering 36 and the edges of the sheet 36a may be reinforced by beading 5-0.

In the box spring mattress the sheet 37 is somewhat elongated and in order to effect the vibration of the padding 3435 it is preferable to use two vibration producing mechanisms 40, these being arranged adjacent the ends of the sheet 37 and being connected to it in the manner above described.

I claim:

1. In an article of furniture having a massaging action,

in combination: a rectangular frame; a supporting pad composed of inner and outer juxtaposed sections of cushioning material; a supporting sheet of flexible material interposed betwcen the sections of cushioning material; an electric motor below the inner section of the supporting pad and having horizontally directed terminal shaft extensions; means carried by a shaft extension for effecting gyratory action of the motor; a casing enclosing the motor and adjoining the inner section of the supporting pad; means interposed between the motor and the casing for the support of the motor from the casing and for transmitting the gyratory action of the motor to the casing; a pair of clamping members suspended for support from the supporting sheet and encircling and supporting the casing as a support for the motor and as means for causing the gyratory action of the motor to be transmitted by the casing to the supporting pad; and a plurality of spring units supported by said frame and upon which the supporting pad freely res s. 2. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 1 wheren the clamping members hold the casing in a position n which the casing compresses the adjacent part of the inner section of cushioning material.

3. An article of furniture having a massaging action and in the form of a chair comprising, in combination: a rectangular frame; a plurality of spaced parallel coil tension springs terminally connected to and extending between parallel parts of the frame; a supporting pad resting upon the tension springs and composed of inner and outer juxtaposed sections of cushioning material; a supporting sheet of flexible material interposed between the sections of cushioning material and spanning a number of the springs; an electric motor below the inner section of the supporting pad and having horizontally directed terminal shaft extensions; means carried by a shaft extension for effecting gyratory action of the motor; a caslng enclosing the motor and adjoining the inner sect-ion of the supporting pad; means interposed between the motor and the casing for the support of the motor from the casing and for transmitting the gyratory action of the motor to the casing; and a pair of clamping members suspended for support from the supporting sheet and encircling and supporting the casing as a support for the motor and as a means for causing the gyratory action of the motor to be transmitted by the casing to the supporting pad. 4. An article of furniture as set forth in claim 3 wheren the clamping members hold the casing in a position n which the casing compresses the adjacent part of the inner section of cushioning material.

'5. -An article of furniture having a massaging action and in the form of a chair comprising, in combination: a rectangular frame including side frames; inner and outer juxtaposed sections of cushioning material positioned between the side frames, the outer section providmg dlrect support for the occupant of the chair; a flexible sheet of motion mansm-itting material interposed between the juxtaposed sections; a plurality of parallel resilient supporting units for the juxtaposed sections, the units extending below the inner section and between the side frames and being terminally rigidly connected to the side frames; an electric motor below the inner section; means associated with the motor for effecting its gyratory action during its operation; a casing enclosing the motor and adjoining the inner section; means interposed between the motor and the casing for the support of the motor from the casing and for transmitting the gyratory action of the motor to the casing; and means for the support of the motor in suspended relation from the flexible sheet.

6. A part for the support of the occupant of a chair as set forth in claim 5 wherein the resilient supporting units include transversely extending tension coil springs.

7. A part for the support of the occupant of a chair as set forth in claim 5 wherein the casing is supported in a position in which it compresses the adjacent part of the inner section.

8. A part for the support of the occupant of a chair as set forth in claim 5 wherein the flexible sheet of motion transmitting material is composed of expanded metal.

9. An article of furniture having a massaging action and in the form of a box spring mattress comprising, in combination: a rectangular frame; a supporting pad composed of inner and outer sections of cushioning material, the outer section being superposed upon the inner section; a supporting sheet of flexible material interposed between the sections of cushioning material; an electric motor below the inner section of the supporting pad and having horizontally directed terminal shaft extensions; means carried by a shaft extension for effecting gyratory action of the motor; a casing enclosing the motor and adjoining the inner section of the supporting pad; means interposed between the motor and the casing for the support of the motor from the casing and for transmitting the gyratory action of the motor to the casing; a pair of clamping members suspended for support from the supporting sheet and encircling and supporting the casing as a support for the motor and as means for causing the gyratory action of the motor to be transmitted by the casing to the supporting pad; and a plurality of helical springs supported by the frame and upon which the supporting pad freely rests.

10. An article of furniture having a massaging action and in the form of a box spring mattress comprising, in combination: a rectangular frame; a plurality of helical springs supported by the frame; a supporting sheet resting upon the helical springs and composed of inner and outer sections of cushioning material, the outer section being superposed upon the inner section; a supporting sheet of flexible material interposed between the sections of cushioning material and spanning a number of the springs; an electric motor below the inner section of the supporting pad and having horizontally directed terminal shaft extensions; means carried by a shaft extension for eflecting gyratory action of the motor; a casing enclosing the motor and adjoining the inner section of the supporting pad; means interposed between the motor and the casing for the support of the motor from the casing and for transmitting the gyratory action of the motor to the casing; and a pair of clamping members suspended for support from the supporting sheet and encircling and supporting the casing as a support for the motor and as a means for causing the gyratory action of the motor to be transmitted by the casing to the supporting pad.

Wettlaufer J an. 30, 1951 Leach Feb. 11, 1958 

1. IN AN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE HAVING A MASSAGING ACTION, IN COMBINATION: A RECTANGULAR FRAME; A SUPPORTING PAD COMPOSED OF INNER AND OUTER JUXTAPOSED SECTIONS OF CUSHIONING MATERIAL; A SUPPORTING SHEET OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE SECTIONS OF CUSHIONING MATERIAL; AN ELECTRIC MOTOR BELOW THE INNER SECTION OF THE SUPPORTING PAD AND HAVING HORIZONTALLY DIRECTED TERMINAL SHAFT EXTENSIONS; MEANS CARRIED BY A SHAFT EXTENSION FOR EFFECTING GYRATORY ACTION OF THE MOTOR; A CASING ENCLOSING THE MOTOR AND ADJOINING THE INNER SECTION OF THE SUPPORTING PAD; MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE MOTOR AND THE CASING FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE MOTOR FROM THE CASING AND FOR TRANSMITTING THE GYRATORY ACTION OF THE MOTOR TO THE CASING; A PAIR OF CLAMPING MEMBERS SUSPENDED FOR SUPPORT FROM THE SUPPORTING SHEET AND ENCIRCLING AND SUPPORTING THE CASING AS A SUPPORT FOR THE MOTOR AND AS MEANS FOR CAUSING THE GYRATORY ACTION OF THE MOTOR TO BE TRANSMITTED BY THE CASING TO THE SUPPORTING PAD; AND A PLURALITY OF SPRING UNITS SUPPORTED BY SAID FRAME AND UPON WHICH THE SUPPORTING PAD FREELY RESTS. 